September is National Self-Care Awareness Month. This month, it's important to focus on your mental and physical well-being! We often push self-care aside in favor of things that we think are more pressing and "important." But, who is going to complete those more pressing tasks when you become overwhelmed and exhausted from not taking the time for self-care?
What is self-care?
Self-care is giving your body and mental wellness the care that it needs in order to keep you healthy and happy. The term "self-care" is a broad term; it can refer to something as crucial as drinking water and eating or something as small as taking a bath or reading a book.
Giving "self-care" an exact definition is difficult, as it means something different for every person. While one person may need to clean the house and make dinner to improve their mental well-being, this may be something that could have an even bigger negative impact on someone else's mental health in times that they need to practice self-care.
Why is self-care important?
Self-care is something that will cover even things that keep you alive! Making sure that you eat, drink water, sleep, take medicine that you need, and bathing is self-care. In nearly all aspects, caring for yourself is something that, if it doesn't literally keep you alive, will improve your quality of life. As your quality of life improves, your ability to connect with those around you and to excel in your achievements will improve as well!
10 Ways to Practice Self Care
- Get 8-10 hours of sleep a night.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Drink water regularly throughout the day!
- Change your clothes when you get up in the morning and before bed at night.
- Practice a hobby.
- Learn more about things that interest you.
- Have a spa day!
- Give yourself a makeover.
- Spend time with loved ones.
- Take a walk!